The Hikers
New member
We headed out early Tuesday morning for a much-awaited week of hiking in the Adirondacks. We spent two separate weeks there last year, collecting ten of the 46R's.We had a list of eight that we hoped to check off on this trip with any luck. We arrived at Whispering Pines and spent the usual hour moving the camper back and forth until we found just the right spot (or got tired of moving it). Anyway, it turned out to be a good spot since we had a week of hot weather, and the shade of the trees kept the camper a little cooler.
We had planned to climb Colden by way of Lake Arnold, and exit through avalanche pass, but the weather forecast was not great for viewing, so we decided we would hit Nye and Street and do Colden on the Thursday, which had a better forecast. We imagined Street and Nye to be an easy day, but they were not. But we plugged on, getting them eventually, and meeting a few nice folks on the way.The overcast weather didn't make for good photos,so we were glad to have changed plans.
Thursday we set out for the Colden loop that we had heard so much about.
Steady climbing brought us to Lake Arnold
And then up to Colden. Indeed the views were spectacular on this much clearer day.
We had been very curious as to why "the book" advised climbing Colden by Lake Arnold, and descending by Lake Colden. Usually, where there are slides involved,one is advised to climb the steepest route. Going down bare rock faces for a mile toward Lake Colden,we decided that it had to be equally hard going up or down this route.
The day was extremely hot and humid, and it took its toll on us.There was no enjoyment as we went out through the Avalanche pass, as our minds were consumed with the thought of ice cold drinks, and ice cold swims.
Friday's Forecast was for showers and T storms so we took the day off to rest and do some laundry. We ate "Mexican", then went back to the camper in time to enjoy a VERY powerful Thunderstorm.
Saturday we set off to visit Whiteface , by the Willington Reservoir Trail.
This is a beautiful trail , more like those here in the Whites than like the ADK trails we have seen so far. We had met a man at the laundromat who was also pursuing the 46R's. He had mentioned picking up Mt. Esther on the way to Whiteface. I had not even noticed that possibility, so we were very glad to have met this man in time. Whiteface was basically in the clouds off and on when we arrived.
We went to the top, then descended to the restaurant to buy the most expensive lemonade this side of Fenway Park.
Mt Esther was visible ahead of us as we started back
Esther is supposed to be 1.2 miles in from the Willington Trail, but it is a long, twisty and never-ending 1.2 miles, not the short jaunt that was described to us in the laundromat. Nevertheless, we did reach the summit and its bronze memorial.
Sunday's goal was Mt Marshall. Looking at the map, we decided it might be easier to reach it by taking the Indian Pass trail to the Cold Brook Pass Trail, and then the herd path to the summit. We figured we would avoid another sweltering trip through Avalanche pass. The first part of the trip was beautiful. The trail was open, with few ups and downs, following the river. We stopped for a drink at Scotts Clearing Shelter. From here, everything changed drastically. The trail became narrower, crossing and recrossing the river. Mud, rocks more mud...did I mention MUD?. Turning up the Cold Brook Trail, more of the same. It was evident this trail was not used very much.
What looked like a quick jaunt on the map, turned into a torture of rocks water and mud.In its defense, I will say, there were many spectacular falls and pools, well worth visiting for their own sake. After a much longer time than we had expected we found the cairn marking the whack up to Marshall.
This was indeed tight, and difficult all the way up to the top, where we were relieved to find other climbers who had gone up by the other route.
Typical trail up Cold Brook
We advised some of them about the conditions we encountered ,and spared them the agony of descending by the route we used. We decided it had to be better going down the other way to Lake Colden and out, but we found out that the "preferred route" wasn't much better. Did I mention MUDD ??
Anyway , we persisted, and trudged out through Avelanche pass and eventually back to the LOJ, but our hike took us a total of 12 hours.
Monday morning we had a good breakfast of scrambled eggs and Sausage as another T storm roared outside. The storm stopped and we packed up to head home.
On the way home we took advantage of the Free Ferry service that replaces the bridge at Crown Point. We watched the work going on which, I assume, is going to be a new bridge.
We returned home having collected 6 more of the 46R list, bringing us to 16 now.We will probably take another week in September to go back and hike some more of these great mountains.
We had planned to climb Colden by way of Lake Arnold, and exit through avalanche pass, but the weather forecast was not great for viewing, so we decided we would hit Nye and Street and do Colden on the Thursday, which had a better forecast. We imagined Street and Nye to be an easy day, but they were not. But we plugged on, getting them eventually, and meeting a few nice folks on the way.The overcast weather didn't make for good photos,so we were glad to have changed plans.
Thursday we set out for the Colden loop that we had heard so much about.
Steady climbing brought us to Lake Arnold
And then up to Colden. Indeed the views were spectacular on this much clearer day.
We had been very curious as to why "the book" advised climbing Colden by Lake Arnold, and descending by Lake Colden. Usually, where there are slides involved,one is advised to climb the steepest route. Going down bare rock faces for a mile toward Lake Colden,we decided that it had to be equally hard going up or down this route.
The day was extremely hot and humid, and it took its toll on us.There was no enjoyment as we went out through the Avalanche pass, as our minds were consumed with the thought of ice cold drinks, and ice cold swims.
Friday's Forecast was for showers and T storms so we took the day off to rest and do some laundry. We ate "Mexican", then went back to the camper in time to enjoy a VERY powerful Thunderstorm.
Saturday we set off to visit Whiteface , by the Willington Reservoir Trail.
This is a beautiful trail , more like those here in the Whites than like the ADK trails we have seen so far. We had met a man at the laundromat who was also pursuing the 46R's. He had mentioned picking up Mt. Esther on the way to Whiteface. I had not even noticed that possibility, so we were very glad to have met this man in time. Whiteface was basically in the clouds off and on when we arrived.
We went to the top, then descended to the restaurant to buy the most expensive lemonade this side of Fenway Park.
Mt Esther was visible ahead of us as we started back
Esther is supposed to be 1.2 miles in from the Willington Trail, but it is a long, twisty and never-ending 1.2 miles, not the short jaunt that was described to us in the laundromat. Nevertheless, we did reach the summit and its bronze memorial.
Sunday's goal was Mt Marshall. Looking at the map, we decided it might be easier to reach it by taking the Indian Pass trail to the Cold Brook Pass Trail, and then the herd path to the summit. We figured we would avoid another sweltering trip through Avalanche pass. The first part of the trip was beautiful. The trail was open, with few ups and downs, following the river. We stopped for a drink at Scotts Clearing Shelter. From here, everything changed drastically. The trail became narrower, crossing and recrossing the river. Mud, rocks more mud...did I mention MUD?. Turning up the Cold Brook Trail, more of the same. It was evident this trail was not used very much.
What looked like a quick jaunt on the map, turned into a torture of rocks water and mud.In its defense, I will say, there were many spectacular falls and pools, well worth visiting for their own sake. After a much longer time than we had expected we found the cairn marking the whack up to Marshall.
This was indeed tight, and difficult all the way up to the top, where we were relieved to find other climbers who had gone up by the other route.
Typical trail up Cold Brook
We advised some of them about the conditions we encountered ,and spared them the agony of descending by the route we used. We decided it had to be better going down the other way to Lake Colden and out, but we found out that the "preferred route" wasn't much better. Did I mention MUDD ??
Anyway , we persisted, and trudged out through Avelanche pass and eventually back to the LOJ, but our hike took us a total of 12 hours.
Monday morning we had a good breakfast of scrambled eggs and Sausage as another T storm roared outside. The storm stopped and we packed up to head home.
On the way home we took advantage of the Free Ferry service that replaces the bridge at Crown Point. We watched the work going on which, I assume, is going to be a new bridge.
We returned home having collected 6 more of the 46R list, bringing us to 16 now.We will probably take another week in September to go back and hike some more of these great mountains.
